Nominations Sought for 2012 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting nominations for the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce both the use and generation of chemicals that are hazardous to the environment and people's health. Nominations are due to the agency by December 31, 2011.
"These presidential awards recognize technologies that create safer and more environmentally friendly chemicals, manufacturing processes, and products," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Green chemistry is driving innovation to safer chemicals and helping to create new jobs in a greener economy."
The 2012 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards mark the 17th year of the program. This year, EPA is encouraging nominations for technologies that will reduce or eliminate chemicals that present serious health risks to children, such as diisocyanates, phthalates, bisphenol A, certain flame retardants, formaldehyde, lead and mercury.
Throughout the first 16 years, EPA received more than 1,400 nominations and presented awards to 82 entrants. Winning technologies alone are responsible for reducing the use or generation of more than 199 million pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving 21 billion gallons of water, and eliminating 57 million pounds of carbon dioxide releases to the air.
More information on how to submit entries: http://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry